A musical romance from 1949. It is about 3 sailors that have 24 hours to spend in New York City before they have to report back to their ship. They plan to sight see, but on the way they meet and fall in love with 3 local women which leads into a funny and musical adventure. I like this movie. Gene Kelly was so talented, I like watching him singing and dancing. In my opinion, if you like Singin' in the Rain, then you'll like On The Town. Thank you.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
On the Town (1949) is one of the movie musicals which demonstrates why M-G-M was the undisputed master of this genre. Written by Betty Comden and Adolph Green and codirected by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen, this film represents everything that was great about the golden era of movie musicals: fantastic dancing, witty and memorable songs, and an innovative impulse to bring the story alive through cinematic means. On the Town follows three sailors (Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, and Jules Munshin) on leave in New York City for only twenty-four hours. They've got one day to see all the sights and pick up a date with Ann Miller, Betty Garrett, and Vera-Ellen. Kelly, who mistakenly believes this month's Miss Turnstiles is a high-society girl, falls for her instantly upon seeing her picture and searches the town for her. Meanwhile, the other boys get lassoed by their new gals. They all meet later on the top of the Empire State Building, have a run-in with the cops, and dance merrily through the streets. All six go from one night club to another and are having a good time until Miss Turnstiles mysteriously flees. The others jump in Garrett's taxi cab for a madcap chase to Coney Island to find her again, but Miss Turnstiles hides a secret, and the MPs are on their way to pick up the sailors! On the Town is significant because it was the first musical shot on location. Kelly and Donen took the revolutionary step of filming the opening "New York, New York" number (whose line "it's a helluva town" had to be changed to "it's a wonderful town" to satisfy the censors) on the streets and on the skyscrapers of New York. This was very difficult, because shooting musicals requires the actors to dance and lipsynch to the prerecorded songs. The playback had to be very loud to be heard over the city noises, and scenes for the "New York, New York" number shot blocks apart had to be planned precisely so that they would fit together seamlessly in editing. Added to that was the problem of Sinatra's celebrity. Everywhere he went, the bobby-soxers were sure to follow. Kelly and Donen couldn't have a bunch of fans getting in the shots, and policemen wouldn't be able to restrain the large crowds that would form if it became known the popular singer were present. To solve this issue, Sinatra was hidden at all costs until the moment he had to shoot his scenes. Kelly and Munshin even sat on top of Sinatra in a taxi ride to the shooting location to conceal him! Only the opening and final scenes of On the Town are shot in New York. The bulk of the film takes place on a Hollywood sound stage. Nevertheless, the on-location scenes are some of the most remarkable in any movie, musical or not. This film is very enjoyable for fans of musicals, classic movies, and the Big Apple, and viewers of all ages will be entertained. On the Town is a fun romp, bursting with the actors' ebullience and the visual excitement of New York.Read full review
Classic movie based on a classic Broadway play, starring outstanding singers and dancers, good acting. Lots of fun to see Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Ann Miller, Vera Ellen and Jules Munshin at the peak of their skills. Highly recommended.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
A classic, and a kind of entertainment we may never see again. Great talents in an entertaining mix of music, comedy and light drama.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
Any time you're afforded the opportunity to see Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Ann Miller, Betty Garret, the all too rarely seen Vera Ellen, Jules Munshin all at once, in a lark in N.Y.- TAKE IT! The first 4 stars mentioned were ABSOLUTELY at their peak. The production was shut down often while in N.Y. because Frank Sinatra was the hottest guy on radio at the time and his movie career was also hitting its peak.Despite the appearances very little was shot in N.Y.. It may be called dated, maybe naive, it MUST be considered great entertainment. I believe it rivals ANY of the best musicals. Oh sure it's fluff, has limited social import, makes all the profound statement of any of the Rogers, Astaire musicals and many others and it's fun. Places the same critical magnifying glass as does Abbott and Costello on the dramatic concerns of society. AND IT'S FUN!!! The movie is really insight to the point we (the U.S.) were still growing and learning. It truely is insight to a simpler time, a time we could still collectively laugh at silly. It should be yearned for again. Try this, I'm sure you'll like it.Read full review
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